The Philadelphia Eagles have one of the most scrutinized wide receiver groups in the NFL. That hasn’t changed thus far in the preseason, but with the addition of Dorial Green-Beckham, there’s noticeable potential added to the group, which wasn’t the case heading into the preseason.
The Eagles have to cut down the roster to 75 players by August 30th at 4 p.m. and there’s a certain wide receiver added this offseason who seems to be on his way out of Philadelphia.
Rueben Randle, who was signed to a one-year deal this offseason worth up to $3 million dollars, looks to be one of the few odd men out among the wide receiver group.
The Eagles didn’t give Randle a single first-team snap in the team’s 33-23 victory last night versus the Indianapolis Colts. Randle was targeted twice by backup quarterback, Chase Daniel, and finished the night with two receptions for 13 receiving yards. Randle finished the game playing 37% of the team’s offensive snaps.
That’s incredibly telling of how they currently view the fifth-year receiver. The third preseason game is well known as the dress rehearsal for starting units, as it showed last night with the starters playing well into the third quarter. Randle, as mentioned earlier, did not partake in any plays with the team’s starting unit.
The work ethic of the former New York Giant has been questioned throughout his career, and those questions haven’t stopped since his arrival in Philadelphia.
The Eagles new coaching staff hasn’t mentioned Randle during their press conferences at all and in fact avoids questions about his overall work ethic. One thing does seem certain at this point; Randle doesn’t have a future in Philadelphia.
The addition of Green-Beckham has perhaps closed the door on Randle’s Eagles career. Both have very similar skill sets, but Green-Beckham’s overall potential outweighs what Randle brings to the team.
When the Eagles signed Randle during free agency, fans were in favor of the move. He’s coming off a season where he caught 57 passes for 797 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Statistic wise, Randle is the most polished wide receiver currently on the Eagles roster, so moving on from him could be a head scratcher to a portion of the Eagles fan base.
Stats only paint half of the picture. Randle has been continuously knocked for not only his lazy work ethic, but for giving up on routes, and not displaying much effort retrieving footballs thrown in his direction. He’s shown that during his Eagles tenure in the preseason as well and it obviously hasn’t sat well with the team’s coaches.
The Eagles are poised to carry five wide receivers. Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, and Green-Beckham are locks to make the team. Josh Huff secured a roster spot with his play last night versus the Colts, but that shouldn’t surprise as many people as it does.
Huff’s playmaking ability, which has been noted to be very inconsistent at times, along with his kick return ability has secured him a spot on the 53 man roster and a role on this team.
Chris Givens, who the team signed this offseason to a veteran minimum deal, is in a great position to sway the coaching staff’s position to claim the fifth spot among the wide receiver group.
Rookie free agent and fan favorite, Paul Turner, has performed well this preseason. Turner has one last shot this upcoming Thursday to prove his worth to the Eagles coaching staff and dethrone Givens for the fifth spot. Turner is eligible to sign with the team’s practice squad if he clears through waivers, but it will be a risk to take the chance and lose him if the team decides to go that route.
One thing is for certain with the roster cut downs quickly approaching; Randle doesn’t appear at the moment to have a roster spot with the Eagles. His release could come if not on the 30th, then September 3rd when the team has to cut down the roster to 53 players.
